Update: Hamilton Street from Court to Lyon will open for motorists Tuesday morning, according to City Engineer Beth London.

SAGINAW, MI — Despite missing its original July 25 deadline, the reconstruction of a segment of Hamilton Street in Old Town Saginaw is nearing completion.

Construction began April 21 on the five-block stretch of Hamilton, from Court to Lyon.

Crews were out in force Monday, Aug. 4, laying a final layer of asphalt, along with installing street markings along the 0.2-mile stretch. It's expected to open to traffic sometime this week.

Neil Barris | Mlive.com Jake's Old City Grill co-owner Paul Barrera, 66, stands outside in the new outdoor seating area at 100 S Hamilton in Saginaw, Monday, Aug. 4, 2014. The new outside area is expected to hold about 90 people.Neil Barris | Mlive.com

Paul Barrera, owner of Jake's Old City Grill, 100 S. Hamilton, said he and other businesses in Saginaw's Old Town district are very pleased with the area's new look. The elimination of parking along one side of Hamilton opened the Old Town district for wider sidewalks and space for outdoor eating; something Barrera believes will revitalize the area.

"This has been a combination of all efforts, neighbors and colleagues have a fresh look and a fresh face to the Old Town district as a whole," Barrera said.

In addition to installing hand-made cast iron fencing outside Jake's, Barrera said outdoor seating and tables are expected to be ready for a Friday, Aug. 8, unveiling. He added that patrons won't be able to order alcohol outside until a new outdoor liquor license is granted, something Barrera expects by Aug. 15.

Serving as the president of the Old Town Saginaw Association, Barrera noted this is the fourth consecutive summer with construction in the area. With streets and parking serving as the lifeline for area businesses, Barrera said his colleagues are ecstatic to see the project near its conclusion.